Nigerian indie artist Black Hibiscus bursts onto the scene with his vibrant debut EP, a colorful mix of indie pop tunes sharing an overarching theme of reminiscence.
Taking influence from popular indie acts such as Blood Orange and Nick Hakim, Black Hibiscus’ sound is a pleasant mix of pop and soul. His brand new EP, titled Tangerine Days, offers a nostalgia-tinted glimpse into a lo-fi dream of the past.
On the EP’s title track, bright guitar chords and infectious vocal hooks are complemented with slightly pained lyrics that dwell on a past relationship, contributing to the effort’s larger concepts of remembrance and regret.
“Those tangerine days were golden,” languid vocals sing in the song’s chorus, “those tangerine eyes were too.”
However, the track’s mostly melancholic lyrics are juxtaposed with incredibly catchy instrumentation. An animated guitar riff dances over grooving percussion and bass while Black Hibiscus’ breezy lead vocals ease the tune back into a relaxed, hypnotic state.
The combination of wounded lyrics and a poppy music atmosphere makes for a listening experience that’s bittersweet, much like the memory of a past relationship.
Stream “Tangerine Days” below.
Derek is a writer, record collector, gardener, and all-around music lover. He lives in Iowa with his plants and his dog, Toby.
